Lock plug receptacle



May 11, 1948. s. N. BUCHANAN ET AL LOCK PLUG RECEPTAGLE' Filed June 30 21944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Snoentor 5 (Ittomeg CLP May 11, 1948. s. N. BUCHANAN ETAL 12,441,393

LOCK PLUG RECEPTACLE Filed June so, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q Snventor 0272171192071 JBreen p (Ittomeg -erata above ;set forth.

Patented May 11 1948 and .nrmistonlLBreen, East Buchanan, Westmoreland LHills, .Md.,

v.assignors"toBuchanan Electricaiflrojlucts Corrotation, Eiizaiieth; N..J.,-a'corporat'1on-of New Jersey Application rune-e0, 194.4, sometime-542,994

I 44.0mm. (01.173 3232) The present .inventioninelates to .a 'lockflplug receptacle and to connector and .gpliug constructions there-tor;

Desiderata'in .aldeyice'ior use'ih interconnectinga pluralitypi wires are..among..dthers, maxifrom exposed live partsflexibility inariange- 'ment or the component parts .ito suitavailable space; ease of associating .smallvimits into larger units;safeguarding.or locking of plugged-iinwire's against undesired disconnectiornetc.

It is a primary.ob'iecl'. of the presentinilention to provide a relationship oipartsin a'.lack .plug receptacle whereby the above-enumerated ides'iderata are realized.

A further obj ect. of the present invention is the embodiment of connector elements, particularly adapted for use in'the a forementionedllock Jpllug receptacle and including jnovejl characteristics which contribute ,to the realization :of The "desid- On. the accompanying sheetsjojf drawin Fig. 1 isa' front elevational of an. assembly according to'the present invention; f

Fig. 2 is a "top *pian view or the assembly .of Fig.1, a part -loeir1g broken'away' ihprfierto hitter =ilius't'rate internal relationships; 7 'Fig. 3 is a front elevational view one second form of assembly,theessentiall'dii'ference :Erom that of Fig. -1 residing inithe :tacjt Jthait :iiher are i wo tiers of connectors insteadof three, gas in 5 v; p i U Fig. 4 is a front elevationai .view'of anlassembly involving but one horizontal .tier of: connectors;

--Fig'. "5 is a front 'eleyat'ional yiew-..of..sti11 *another type of assembly within .i'he .purvliew ioi the invention, the essential .diffcrenceiirom -;the assembly or 'Fig. ..3 beingithatzthe itwo rows of tiers are arranged ,in lextension of eaeheother rather .thanin-superposition; r

Fig. 6 is a .iragmentarrnmitudmalisechiomfl view, through the vassembly according-to Fi :82; I Fig. sis a .sectionflil View .mkcn faking-line .of Fig. .6;

Fig. 8 is a perspectiveavierwrorf a oonnector per se :a-ccording :jto the 'inwention, ana o'f ith'e w-ire ends to she interconnected 'mhereby; '7

:Fig. is :ariew similarto thatofiig. {633M showing a =mo di-fi'ed form ot-connector;

mg. '11) is *a-perspective*flcw-1oI "the-connector per so according *FiaiQ;

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of a modified arrangement .of block retaining straps. 7

Referring first to Fig.1, reference numeral L9 designates "in toto ,.a three-tiered lock plug reccptacla'the constructional details of which will hereinaiterzbe set forth. "Reference numeral H designatesnametallic retaining strap which, as hereinafter .described, encompasses the plug ;receptacle "m and retains the component parts thereof in place. Strap H is preferably two-part in character and comprises; .on the .one hand, a substantially :U-sh'aped part flla which terminates-in "outwardly directedrflanges l2, and on the other :hand, a cross-piece Hi9 extending across and -interconnecting the said flanges. Corresponding openings 1 3-are provided in flanges '11 an'd cross-piecegllb, the edges of the openings inthe latter being peerred overthe edges of the --openings in the former in eyelet ifashion, whereby the strap pa-rts are 'securely iastened-togetherbut -means-is-provided for the reception of a sc-rewor the like --for attaching the assembly 'to a supporting base. In the embodiment shown in Fig. i, the 'plug receptacle H) is shown associatedwith spring retaining menibers 1"4 upstanding from the-bottom -15 of 'a'receptaole '--box. The spring retaining memhers l 4 *mayfit into corresponding notches l6 provided -i-n the "plug receptacle "-l 8.

The plufg recepta-cles ware-preferably builtup of a plurality of -superposed --component parts which comprise at ieas't a 1701) member If anda flaott'om mein-ber -18 as shown in Figs. "4 and 5. With this relationship of partsflbut-one row -01 connectors-or plugs isqabssible. --.[n order to prow-ideadditional rows or connectors or plugs, intermediate =-elements 4'0 are interposed =between the "-to'p I and the ibottom =18. in Fig. 6, the interposition of one intermediate member -49 makes it possible to have two rows of connectors :or plugs. iThe threetiered arrangemeritof Fig. A inrolvesia itop 13, albottom L8, and two inter mediately superposedsmembers :49. fit-is evident that substantially any desired number .-'.of 311011- mections may he realized by zsuperposing a ioorresponding numberof partts. While {the emhodi rnentoirliig irshows. five plugs in each horizontal now, (it is :rnanifest .that IhiS=JlllIHbfif may ':be avariedlas .riesired. Orselse a plurality of --recep- =tac1es may xInearranged side .byside afterv the man- ..ner .shown 'inpiFtflg. 5.

' .Iheintermediate elements 43, which likethe a 7 construction.

35 .epper stron man; element 59:19pmdelineated by upstanding end walls 22 which. I:

retain the connectors 2| against undesired displacement longitudinally thereof.

The lower surface of each element 9 is provided with a corresponding plurality of connectorreceiving recesses 2 0, and these as shown are severally in alinement with the previously described recesses 28.

The ends of each element H! are rabbeted, i. e.,

provided with a rectangular groove for the re-- ception of the adjacent portions of strap Ila, the depth and lateral extent of the said grooves being preferably adapted to the dimensions of the strap.

The lower surface of the top member I? is formed exactly as the aforedescribed lower surface of member IS. The ends of the member I! are rabbeted' to provide grooves which are continuations of the grooves in the ends of the adjacent member l9. This groove 23 (Fig. 6) also extends across the top of member I! for the reception of the corresponding top portion of strap Ila.

Intermediate each pair of recesses 20, the top member I! is provided with an integral depending projection 24which fits into a corresponding recess 25 formed in the top of the adjacent member I 9, as shown in Fig. 6.

The upper surface of the bottom member 8 is formed exactly as the aforedescribed upper surface of intermediate member 9. The ends of the member I8 are rabbeted to provide grooves which are continuations of the grooves in the ends of the adjacent member l9. These grooves receive the adjacent portions of strap Ila. Intermediate each pair of recesses 20, the bottom member I8 is provided with a recess 25 for the reception of the corresponding projections 24 which depend integrally from the bottom of the adjacent intermediate member IS.

The bottom member It has essentially the cross-sectional configuration shown in Fig. '7, i. e., it has a substantially centrally arranged longitudinally extending recess 26 on the underside thereof. Member I8 is also provided with lower outwardly projecting flanges 21 as shown.

Strap member ||a is provided with inwardly offset loops 29 which, as shown more particularly in Fig. 6, extend into the recess 26 and into close underlying engagement with the bottom of member l8.

Upon superposition of the described parts in the indicated manner, each juxtaposed pair of recesses 20 will in effect define a housing for a connector 2|.

The connectors 2| are of the cross-section best shown in Fig. 6. The connector is essentially U-shaped in configuration and when associated with the other parts assumes a recumbent or relatively horizontal position. The connector is made of electrically conductive spring metal and has a longitudinally extending rib 30 along the loop or bottom of the U (see Fig. 8), whereby enhanced springiness is imparted to the connector. The several legs of the U terminate in outward 4 respondence with the surface of the wires to be interconnected.

Projecting from one leg of the U at one end of the connector 2| is a springy retainer lug 32 and from the other leg of the U at the other end thereof is a similar springy retainer lug 33 (Fig. 8) for a purpose hereinafter described. One

.leg of the U, the upper one in Fig. 8, is slotted to provide spring tongues 34, 35 of enhanced flares 3|. The intermediate portion of each leg of the U is preferably arcuate in essential 'corspring tendency.

The interior of each recess 20 is configured to correspond essentially to the configuration of the connector portion to be housed therein. The downwardly opening recesses 20 are therefore in the nature of mirror images of the upwardly opening recesses 20. As to size, the recesses are very slightly larger than the connectors, sufficiently so to provide a clearance or play of about 0.010" around the connector.

The end walls of the recesses 20 (Fig. 7) are notched as at 36 for the reception of th respective lugs 32 and 33. It is manifest that the notches 36 will all be on one side in the case of the several downwardly opening recesses 20 and will all be on the other side in the case of the several upwardly opening recesses 20. The result is that the connectors can be inserted in place in one relative position only, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Assembly of the plug receptacle and connectors is thus readily effected. First, a bottom piece is laid in place. Then the several connectors are placed in the several upwardly opening recesses. Then, a top piece or an intermediate piece, as the case may be is superposed, until the desired number of rows of connectors are realized. The final piece to be laid in place is of course always a top piece. snapped into place and bound together, and the assembled device is then fastened onto a support with the aid of screws or the like, or else the clamping support arrangement of Fig. 1 is used. The device is then ready to be associated with wires or the like to be interconnected.

The wires or the like 31 to be interconnected terminate in solid metallic electrically conductive plug ends 38, the latter being associated with the respective wires in any suitable and/or conventional manner, preferably at the socket portions 39. The plug ends are of stepped configuration as bestapparent fromFigs. 7 and 8 and comprise a pair of spaced oblique surfaces 40 arranged at an angle of about 40 with the horizontal (as shown in Fig. 7), the two oblique surfaces being interconnected by a substantially horizontally extending surface 4|. The respective plug ends are intended to be inserted or plugged into a connector 2| from opposite sides of the receptacle l0 and are intendedto complementarily overlap as best shown in Fig. 7. The overlapping portion X (Fig. 7) is substantially coextensive with the lateral extent of the springy tongues 34, 35, the pressure of which enhances the desired intimate contact between the overlapped plug ends. The wires 31 are of course in electrical connection with the plug ends 38, and thus the wires plugged in from the opposite sides of the connector 2| are electrically interconnected.

In order to lock the parts in interconnected relation against undesired disconnection, there ismounted on each wire posteriorly of the plug end 38 a sleeve 42 of insulating material. Each plug end is also provided with a notch or recess 43 for the reception'of the corresponding lug or detent 32 or 33, the'latter slipping into place The retaining straps II are then' -=--in the said notchiorirecess a'slthe enddfl is plugged toiplace. After the latter step'thasbeen cf.-

. di gr m-thesleet/e142 ismoved thereover into the spositionshown in Fig. "7, and this results in .a

positive lockingof-thep'lug end in place. 'It is It ,may be noted that theiparts are so arranged :1

@tnatsleeveffl ma not slip off the wireend, such .slctao'hment being prevented :by the shoulder 44 engages the end of socket 239 of the plug .38.. {The parts H, is and 19 are preferably n. =s1iehtlymndercutas .at .55 .;(F,i g. 3'?) for reception .261 the inner end .ofsleeve 4?... 'The result is .that -litithielllrthe parts .in place,-..as shown in iFligi'I, acne assembly presents what may be .termed a ifidead front on each side,..i. e.,' no live parts :n-lie exposed. This completely insulated aspect away he further enhanced, :ifdesired, by sprayasealing coating ofinsulating material such ilacquer over thedevice after assembly;

--A ieature of the invention isthat the socket ii-may be associated with a-variety of sizes of,

"me by menelycorrespondingly dimensioning the socket bore which serves to receive the wire end. Association of the socket and wire end may be effected, for example, with the aid of any conrnentional crimping tool. The size of the plug 38 remains constant, regardless of differences in wire size. In this way, the assembly is adapted to interconnect various wire sizes without the necessity of varying the size of the connector 2 I A further feature of the arrangement is'that sleeves 42, insofar as they pertain to wires of one and-the same electrical circuit, may be correspondingly colored or otherwise identified, thus providing permanent circuit markers and facilitating the tracing of the circuits.

An important aspect of the invention is that maintenance of the desired intimate contact between theinterengaged plug ends 38 is assured, on the one hand, by the detents 32, 33 and the engagement thereof with their respective detentreceiving notches and, on the other hand, by the action of the resilient tongues 34, 35. lhe relative independence of these'tongues with respect to the connector body 2| assures close contact, by a force acting transversely of the plug ends and regardless of the possible presence of irregularities, such as high spots or the like, on the exterior of the said ends.

The size and configuration of the strap l i vary according to the size and configuration or the plug receptacle. In the arrangement according to Fig. 5' the strap will, of course, be relatively elongated. A spline 58 is preferably inserted in the central juxtaposed rabbeted grooves to assure alinement of the tiers which, as shown, are arranged in extension of each other.

Coming now to the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10, this is primarily adapted to situations where a plurality of outgoing Wires are desired to be tapped off from a single incoming wire.

As shown in Fig. 19, the connector 46 is in effect a duplex form of the connector shown in Fig. 8. As in the latter, spring detents 32 and 3 3 are provided, but there are two on each side 'iinstead of-eone. In additiomxtwo isetsmf -togues 34,:i'i5i-are provided. 'iirhe spring ;-detents gnu-and :33 may, according to :thisrembodiment, iibe :provided with rlateral, extensions e149 :formin an essentially rectilinear .crossepiece across .ithe respective idetent. These extensions are me- -ceived liri the corresponding detent-receiving notches. The .ends of :the extensions :comeziri to frictional engagement :with :the interior surface --of:::the sleeves 42, thereby assuring retention of the latter indocking position :againstmndesired .displacementfrom such position. :In other :respectst'the .d'eviceis essentially ;the same .asin Fig. 8.

'sF ig. :9' corresponds :to Fig. 16, with correspond- :ing parts bearing correspondingreference nu- :merals .butfibeing configured to conforms-to the .changed configuration -ofirthe .=connector 4'6.

otherrespects, the relationships of the partsand the separation 'of'the device are essentially' the 'same as in the first-described embodiment.

.Beferring, finally, .to Fig. 11, the .plug receptacle Qcorresponds essentially withthe aforedescribed construction. However, the strap ll ofthepreyiously-disclosed embodiments is replaced by a .modifiedg strap .=cons'truction .411, :the essential characteristic of which is the dispositioncof 'the ears resin relatively vertical rather than zhorie-zontal relation. "This type -.of assembly is .:par- .tlcularlyssuitable :for [use-in a partition -(-.wa-ll, ---buikhead, etc.) sozthat wiresen one side-of the plug receptacle. :are plugged in *from acne room 'Whi-le 'thewnres on :theother side :are manipulated firom another room. This arrangement emphasizesrthe independence of each plug from the plug Withwhich it maybe :associateid. e., the possibility. of connecting and disconnecting any-wire 'without in any way disturbing any other wire.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a device whereby the objects introductorily enumerated are realized.

Having thus disclosed the invention, What is claimed is:

1; A device of the-character described comprising a compact assembly of a plurality of wire end plug connectors, wire end plugs therein, a, spring detent extending from each end of each connector, each said wire end plug having a notch for the reception of one said detent,-

means for locking each of said plugs in its corresponding receptacle against undesired removal therefrom, said locking means being severally releasable and said plug ends being severally dissociable from said connectors without disturbing any other locking means and plug end, said locking means comprising a sleeve member mounted on said Wire and movable into encompassing relationship with said notch and spring detent therein, whereby dissociation of said wire end plug and connector is possible only when said sleeve is out of said encompassing relationship.

2. A device of, the character described comprising a comp-act assembly of a plurality of wire end plug connectors, wire end plugs therein, a spring detent extending from each end of each connector, each said wire end plug having a notch for the reception of one said detent, means for locking each of said plugs in its corresponding receptacle against'undesired removal therefrom, said locking means being severally 7 "locking means comprising a sleeve member moun'ted on said wire and movable into encompassing relationship with said notch and spring detent therein, whereby dissociation of said wire end plug and connector is possible only when said sleeve is out of said encompassing relationship, and means on each said detent for frict'ionally engaging the interior surface of its corresponding sleeve member.

- 3. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of superposed tiers of insulating material defining a plurality of rows of recesses therein, a wire connector received in each said recess, a spring detent extending from each end of each said connector, each said connector being entirely housed in said recess with only said detents projecting therefrom, a Wire end in each connector at each end thereof, each wire end being notched to receive said detent, and a sleeve of insulating material arranged about each associated notch and detent, whereby each said connector and wire end are locked together and no electrically conductive part is exposed.

4. A device of the character described comprising a compact assembly of a plurality of wire end plug connectors, wire end plugs therein, a spring detent extending from one end of each connector, each said wire end plug having .a notch for the reception of one said detent, means for locking each of said plugs in its corresponding receptacle against undesired removal therefrom, said locking means being severally releasable and said plug ends being severally dissociable from said connectors without disturbing other locking means and plug ends, said locking means comprising a sleeve member mounted on said wire and movable into encom- REFERENCES orrEn The following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 176,069 Ryder Apr. 11,1876 295,559 Kitson Mar. 25, 1884 867,312 Shutz Oct. 1, 1907 925,293 Cheney June 15, 1909 975,090 Wappler Nov. 8, 1910 1,149,599 Small Aug. 10, 1915 1,417,452 Catlin May 23, 1922 1,516,415 Thomas Nov. 18, 1924 1,742,334 Tischler Jan. 7, 1930 1,943,660 Edwards Jan. 16, 1934 1,975,244 Wiseman Oct. 2, 1934 2,034,695 Dougherty Mar. 24, 1936 2,061,961 Culver et a1. Nov. 24, 1936 2,243,741 Rowe May 27, 1941 2,257,317 Wade Sept. 30, 1941 2,327,048 Joyce Aug. 17, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 239,345 Great Britain 1925 Great Britain 1934 

